An Al Jazeera-cited report says US President Donald Trump recently withdrew a threat of a final operation against Iran at the last moment. It lists five episodes from March 21 to June 11 in which Trump issued severe threats toward Iran before extending deadlines, pausing plans, or changing course. Political analysts have used the term “TACO,” short for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” in connection with this pattern.

On March 21, Trump threatened to destroy all Iranian power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz was fully opened, then extended his deadline by five days and later another week. On April 1, he warned that Iran could be bombed into the “Stone Age,” but Washington took no immediate military action. After his April 7 declaration that an entire civilization would be destroyed that night, a fragile ceasefire was signed the next day through Pakistani mediation.

Trump announced Operation Project Freedom on May 4 to help ships blocked by the Hormuz blockade pass safely, but paused it two days later to examine prospects for an agreement. On June 11, he threatened to seize Kharg Island and control Iran’s energy sector, then cited talks with Iranian leadership hours later. Analysts debate whether the pattern could diminish the weight of his military statements.